Willcocks's Honeyguide
Indicator willcocksi
A small honeyguide of forest and forest edge. Has a typical honeyguide appearance, being largely olive-green all over with the brightest green on the wings. Shows a pale belly with a hint of streaking and white outer tail feathers with dark tips. The throat is pale and the face is plain, lacking facial markings. Similar to other honeyguides in the region, but note plain face and distinctive song, which consists of typical honeyguide notes immediately followed by a bill snap, “p-REER-tk!”, sometimes repeated for hours on end and often from dedicated song posts that can be utilized for years.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Indicator willcocksi
- Authority
- Alexander, 1901
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Indicatoridae
- Genus
- Indicator
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Short-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus striatus
Glossy drongo of the eastern Visayas and Mindanao. Note the blue iridescence on the wings and neck, as well as the relatively weakly forked tail. Similar to Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo, but note present species’ much heavier bill. A vocal inhabitant of forested habitats, often foraging actively from exposed perches, sometimes in pairs or small groups. Vibrant song consists of clicks, whistles, warbles, harsh grating notes, and mimicry.
Tsavo Sunbird
Cinnyris tsavoensis
Male is iridescent green above and dark below, with a narrow purple band across the breast. Female is nondescript, with a pale eyebrow and faint streaking across the pale underparts. Found locally in dry thorn savanna. Similar to Purple-banded Sunbird, but the male is distinguished by the lack of a maroon band across the underparts. Also very similar to Violet-breasted Sunbird, but male has a narrower purple breast band and both sexes are slightly smaller and shorter-billed. Song is a typical sunbird high-pitched jumble; also gives “chek” calls.
Blue-throated Goldentail
Chlorestes eliciae
Uncommon and local, rather small hummingbird of humid forest edge, plantations, and woodlands in tropical lowlands and foothills. Perches and feeds mainly at middle to upper levels in shady understory and at edges. Note the bright red bill and greenish-gold tail (which often looks grayish). Male has violet gorget. Female has violet throat spotting, but often these areas look rather dull and grayish unless they catch the light.
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